Meals & Snacks Tips

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Ingredients:1 cup icing sugar 1 tsp. Bicarbonate soda 1/4 tsp. citric acid Jelly crystals You will need a very cold bowl and a spoon. The rest is so simple you'll be surprised!Simply mix all the ingredients in a bowl.2. Taste

Clean lettuce leaves for baseCanned peach halves, drained for body and headRaisins for eyesCarrot sticks for legsShredded carrot (for hair)Licorice for armsWho said food can't be fun too. The kids will put these ingredients together to make a face, then eat it up… lots of fun!

Place graham crackers in a plastic sandwich bag and crush with a rolling pin. Add a few chocolate sprinkles to make ants, then seal the bag. Give them to the kids to take outside and eat or let them pour it into a small bowl and eat at the table--using their fingers, of course. Variations: Add raisins (call them beetles), red hots (ladybugs) or mini chocolate chips (spider eggs).

Cut cheese into 2" x 1" rectangular blocks. Gently insert three chow mein noodles on each side of cheese block for legs. Using two broken chow mein noodles, insert into "head" as antennae. Note: Cheddar makes a bright and colorful beetle, but can be very frustrating for little fingers as the cheese is a bit too hard to press the noodles into without breaking. Use softer cheese such as Gouda, Monterey Jack, or even Mozzarella.

18 Oatmeal cookies1 can Apple pie filling large microwave container square or rectangularHave your child crumble 9 cookies in bottom of dish. Open and pour on can of pie filling spread evenly, crumble up other 9 cookies on top place lid on container and vent place in microwave for 5 minutes on high. Allow to cool before serving.

By cutting your hot dogs just right, you can make octopus hotdogs! Simply cut your hotdogs lengthwise four times to within an inch or so of the tip on one end. You should have 1 inch of "regular hot dog" and 8 "legs". Put in the pot to boil as usual and the hot water will curl the "legs" up and provide your kids with Octopus Hotdogs! Always a hit in my house.

3 cups powdered milk1/2-cup Cocoa3/4-cup SugarDash of saltSift the ingredients into a large bowl. Pack the mix into an airtight container.To use mix: Place 4 tablespoons of the Hot Chocolate Mix into a mug. Pour in 8 ounces boiling water. Stir until the Chocolate mix is dissolved. Garnish with marshmallows or whipped cream.

Basic recipe: 1 cup juice (be creative Orange, Strawberry, Cranberry, Apple & Grape are nice)1 cup water 1 egg white 3/4 tsp. vanilla extract 1/4 cup sugar 1 cup ice (crushed is best)Blend at high speed. Serves 2. Note: The egg white is to make the drink frothy, which it is famous for. You can omit the white, or use that powdered egg white (meringue powder) that is sold in the Wilton baking section of most stores.

Mix the strawberries and lemonade concentrate in a blender until smooth and thick. Gradually add ginger ale. Transfer the beverage to a punch bowl. Stir in any remaining ginger ale and the raisins. Place the gummy worms on the rim of the bowl for a swampy effect. YIELD: 10 Servings

Gummy worms, bugs etc....Chocolate cookies=crushedChocolate fudge puddingBrowniesMiniature clay flower pots less than 3"Plastic flowersStuff brownies in bottom of pots until pot is 3/4 full.Put pudding on top, enough to fill about half the space left. Top off with cookie crumbs. Place worms and bugs in so they are sticking partially in the pudding and hang off side of pot. Stick one (or more) plastic flower in center.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Mix the melted butter, sweetener (syrup or honey) and vanilla. In another bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Combine the liquid and dry ingredients, stirring until blended. Do not over mix. Stir in raisins, nuts and apples. Spread batter in the baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until done. Decorate the top by placing a paper doily on top of the cake and sift powdered sugar over the doily.

Cut licorice in half. Remove the top of each sandwich cookie; press 8 licorice pieces into the fudge center to resemble spider legs. Spread a little chocolate frosting over the licorice; replace cookie tops. Frost the tops of the spider cookies with frosting. Place red cinnamon candies on top for eyes.

1/2 cup Raisins 1/2 cup Plain Yogurt 2 Apples Juice of 1 Lemon 2 stalks of Celery plastic knivesHelp your child measure the raisins and yogurt. You core the apple and slice in half. Help your child cut the apple halves into chunks - add to the bowl. Stir in juice. Then cut the celery into small pieces. Add the remaining ingredients into the bowl and mix. Enjoy!

Please be sure children are under adult supervision for this activity.

Here's another way to satisfy your sweet tooth by experimenting with water. (Prepare this recipe with your adult partner. To avoid a steam burn, don't put your face too close to the pot. Wear oven mitts.)

You will need1 cup water2 cups sugarPotGlass jarPiece of thick string, wool, or pipe cleanerSpoon to hang the string from

1. Heat the water in the pot until it boils. 2. Stir in the sugar gradually until all of it has dissolved. (The mixture will become a thick syrup.) 3. Pour the syrup into the glass jar. 4. Tie one end of the string to the middle of the spoon. Rest the spoon on the jar rim so that the string hangs into the liquid. 5. Leave the jar on a counter for a few days. What happens? 6. As the mixture cools and the liquid evaporates, some of the dissolved sugar comes back out of the water in the form of crystals.

Two step holiday cookies are twice as fun to make!¾ cup Butter¾ cup Sugar2 cups Flour½ tsp. Salt2 Eggs½ tsp. Vanilla½ tsp. Baking PowderDay 1: Soften butter and mix with sugar until creamy. Add eggs and then other ingredients, mixing flour in a little at a time. Refrigerate overnight.Day 2: Spread 1 cup flour on wax paper on a hard surface. Roll dough until it's about 1/8 " thick. Use cookie cutters to cut cookies. Make a hole in the top of each cookie with a straw. Place cookies on un-greased baking sheets lined with aluminum paper. Bake in pre heated oven at 375 degrees for 5 - 10 minutes. Decorate with frosting and run ribbons through the holes to hang on the tree!

In a medium bowl, sprinkle knox Unflavored Gelatin over cold juice; let stand 1 minute. Add hot juice and stir until gelatin is completely dissolved; stir in sugar. Pour into an 8 or 9 inch baking pan and chill until firm. To serve, cut into 1" squares. NOTE: Do not use fresh or frozen pineapple juice.

Serving Size: 8 3 C Quick-Cooking Oats Salt 8 Plastic Sandwich Bags Put 1/2 C. oats in a blender and whirl at high speed until powdery; reserve in a small bowl. Repeat procedure with an additional 1/2-C. oats. If you're using a food processor, powder the 1-C. of oats in one motion. Into each sandwich bag put 1/4-C. un-powdered oats, 2 T. powdered oats, and a scant 1/4-tsp. salt. Store in a box or airtight container. To serve: Empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 C. boiling water; stir and let stand for 2 minutes. For thicker oatmeal, use less water; for thinner, use more water. (I microwave for 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 minutes or until done on high)

6 ounces butterscotch chips1 cup peanuts3 cups chow mein noodleswax paperDirections In a double boiler or microwave, melt the butterscotch chips. Remove from heat and stir in the peanuts. Place the chow mein noodles in a large bowl and pour the butterscotch/peanut mixture over the top. Stir well. Drop mixture on wax paper using a teaspoon. Cool. Give these "disgusting" treats to the kids!

You need:A spoonA small clean tin can1 cup of your favorite juicePlace the spoon in the canFill the can with juice an place it in the freezer for 2 hours.When the juice is almost frozen, stir it with the spoon and return it to the freezer for half an hour. Mmm, just the thing for a hot summer afternoon.

Whirl the following recipes in a blender or food processor until smooth. Serve with straws to slurp. Pour leftovers into ice cube trays and use as cooling floats in juice. Try any combination of your favorite fruits. You can substitute half of the milk with yogurt for a thicker version.

1. Crush the candy. Keep colors separated in different bowls. 2. Prepare the cookie dough. 3. Roll the dough into 1/4" strips. 4. Make heart outlines with the dough. 5. Use the foil to make frames for your cookies. You should be able to look through the holes in your outlines and see foil. 6. Fill the heart-shaped space with the crushed candy. 7. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in a 375o F oven. 8. Let the cookies cool. 9. Peel off the foil and enjoy.

Yogurt can be a fantastic snack. If your kids are hesitant to eat yogurt plain dress it up with fruit and honey, or use Jell-O mix to flavor. Top with chopped nuts, dried or fresh fruit. Serve with muffins from the freezer for a great breakfast idea.

Use oatmeal (or any hot cereal) instead of ice cream Still use toppings. I use crushed pineapple, strawberry preserves (or thawed frozen strawberries) and of course, chocolate syrup and a little whipped cream... Of course you make these a size to fit the kids, so they can finish them all, but my kids love it! At least for a change of pace.

1. Arrange lettuce on a salad plate. Spoon cottage cheese on top of the lettuce.2. Peel and core a pear, cut it in half (or use canned halves). 3. Place one half on top of the cottage cheese for the bunny face. 4. Add pieces of celery for whiskers, raisins for eyes and a grape for the nose. Cut the remaining pear section in half for the ears.

Horse Chow is a combination of raw oats and dried or fresh fruits. You can also add nuts and seeds as well. There are about a million combinations. It's delicious, healthy and cheap. The kids like to add their favorites, and eat this fast, uncooked oatmeal/granola. Here is the basic recipe: 4 cups rolled oats (old-fashioned, not instant) 1/2 cup raisins juice of 1 lemon dash of salt a little vegetable oil to moistenMix all together and eat.

Note: Everything but the oats is optional. I substituted blueberries for the raisins, which was great! We have also added apples and cinnamon, and done strawberries with some milk. You can serve this with any fresh or dried fruit, and add a little milk. It then becomes a quick version of Muesli, a favorite European breakfast.

Makes enough jam for a whole crowd-2 slices of bread per person Ingredients 8 cups fresh strawberries 1/2 teaspoon butter 7 cups sugar (or less, to taste)Jelling agent, such as Sure-Jell loaf of favorite bread Utensils Kitchen towels Hot soapy water Pot (large enough for child to stand inside with both feet)5-quart pot Wooden mixing spoon Sterilized canning jars with lids Cookie cutters Spreading knife Process To make the fresh strawberry jam 1. Wash the strawberries and remove the stems. Place them in the large pot.2. Spread kitchen towels on the floor. Place the pot of strawberries on the kitchen towels.3. Meanwhile, wash feet well in warm soapy water and then dry with clean towels.4. Step into the strawberry pot and gently stomp and crush the strawberries.. Be sure to crush well by pressing down into them over and over.5. When finished, step onto the kitchen towels and wipe feet well. Wash and dry feet (and hands) again before resuming the cooking project.6. Place the crushed strawberries in a 5-quart pot. Add the jelling agent to the strawberries, and then add the butter.7. Place the pot of strawberries on the stove over medium high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring with a wooden spoon. Add the sugar to the strawberry mixture and continue stirring.8. Remove the pot from the stove and then skim the foam off the top of the mixture with the spoon. Discard the foam.9. Pour the mixture into the sterilized canning jars. Fill to 1/8 inch from the top of the jar, then immediately screw the lids on tightly. Turn the canning jars upside down on the counter to cool.

To make the shadow sandwiches 1. While the jars cool, divide the bread into two equal piles. 2. Spread cooled strawberry jam mixture on each slice of bread from one pile. Set on a plate. From the other pile of bread, cut a shape with a cookie cutter into each slice of bread.3. Make a shadow sandwich by putting one slice of strawberry-covered bread together with one bread cutout. The larger piece of bread will show around the cutout like a frame. Spread jam on cutouts, too, if desired.4. Arrange the shadow sandwiches on a plate for a fresh strawberry treat.

1. Follow the directions to make your favorite cake mix. 2. Have the kids spoon the batter into the ice cream cones. Be careful not to fill them more than 3/4 full. 3. Put the filled cones into the cupcake tin. 4. Bake at 350F for 10-15 minutes. Insert a toothpick to check that they are cooked. Let the kids ice and decorate their cupcake cones. You can use different colored icing, multi-colored sparkles, or candy as decorations.

Arrange 3 balls of vanilla ice cream on a plate to form a bunny--use medium one for head, large one for body and tiny one for the tail. Cover with shredded coconut. Place carrot shavings (large) for ears, jelly beans for eyes and nose, and licorice stings for whiskers.

Instead of packing a sandwich with flat slices of lunchmeat, try rolling the meat. You can either serve the rolled meat with crackers or make sandwiches with them. Kids love the 'rolling' texture on the tongue. (They think they're special!)

An indoor picnic that is. Just spread a blanket on the floor. Use paper plates and cups. Make "picnic" foods like cheese cubes, fruit, crackers, and lunch meat (rolled up). Hot dogs and potato chips are a favorite in the middle of winter, and in the house it's easy to finish up with a big bowl of ice cream.

Freeze an unopened 8 or 16 oz. Can of sliced peaches, pears or fruit cocktail overnight. Just before serving, run the sealed can under warm water for a few seconds. Open both ends of the can, slide out the frozen block of fruit, and slice into rounds.

Cream together sugar and shortening, mix in eggs and vanilla.Combine flour, baking powder and soda, then add to creamed mixture.Stir in one cup of the chocolate chips.Wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.Preheat oven to 375 degrees.Roll dough into 2-inch balls and roll in granulated sugar.Insert a craft stick into each ball.Place aprox. 2 inches apart onto un-greased cookie sheet.Flatten each ball, using the bottom of a glass.Bake 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown.Cool 2 min before removing from tray.

For breakfast on Thanksgiving day we have Corn Cakes. We just use a regular Jiffy cornbread mix, but cook on a griddle. We make them small--"silver dollar size"--and the kids may have as many as they want. We also made our own butter one year, which was fun.(see my "Meals and Snacks category for the recipe). In the days before Thanksgiving we look for some different "spreads" to go on our corn cakes. We usually end up with honey and several kinds of jellies and jams. We have apple juice to drink.

Watermelon, Zip-lock BagsDull knifeStrawsGive each child a slice of melon. Melon should be cut with a dull knife or side of fork into small cubes. Remove the seeds, and place the melon chunks into the bag. Place a straw into the corner of the bag, and close the zipper around the straw. The child then squishes the melon, making juice. Drink!Afterwards, the pulpy leftover can be eaten with a spoon.

Pat evenly into a 9" X 11" or 13" pan. Pressing the top with a spatula to finish gives it a more even top. Cover top completely with 12 oz. package of chocolate chips that have been melted. Cut into squares while at room temperature. (If you cut them after refrigerating, the chocolate may crack.)

My kids really like to have this cereal snack. I mix up a big bowl of several different types of cereal. (Cheerios, Fruit Loops, Kix, whatever you have a small amount of leftover.) Usually I use about 2 cups of each. I throw in a handful of mini marshmallows, peanuts, M&Ms, raisins, little bite size crackers, goldfish crackers, or whatever I have leftover. I serve the snack in little 5 ounce Dixie cups, but a baggie would work. This is a really fun snack. I usually serve a glass of milk or a juice box with it.

(Easy!) 1 large can Pumpkin 1/2 gallon Vanilla Ice Cream 2 tsp. Vanilla Extract 2/3 cup Sugar 1 Tsp. Nutmeg Soften the ice cream and mix well with the pumpkin. Pour into a 9" x 13"pan. Mix the rest of the ingredients and spread on top of the ice cream. Freeze. Warm at room temperature slightly before serving, so you can cut pieces easily.

Fill small, tightly sealed containers (baby food jars work well) about ½ full with whipping cream.Shake until the cream starts to thicken.Add a bit of salt and continue shaking until butter forms.Spread on saltine crackers.

Strawberries 1 cup of Chocolate Chips 3 tbsp. Skim Milk Wash the strawberries and let them dry on a paper towel. Put the chocolate chips and milk into a microwave container. Put this in the microwave and cook on high for 1 minute. Stir it, if it is still has lumpy pieces cook it again for 30 seconds. Stir it until it is a smooth sauce. Put wax paper or tinfoil on a plate that will fit in the fridge. Take the strawberries by the leaves and dip them half way into the chocolate sauce. Place it on the plate and do the rest. Put them in the fridge until the chocolate gets hard. Put them on a fancy plate that you decorate with the mint leaves. Eat them!

While you have the chocolate melted... taste other fruit dipped in chocolate... mmmmm what a treat!

Partially cook bacon; drain on paper towels until slightly cool. Cut a 1-inch piece from each bacon slice, and place a piece in the bottom of each of 6 muffin cups. Wrap remaining bacon strips around sides of muffin cups, and break an egg in center of each. Top each with salt, pepper, 1/2 tsp. Butter, and 2 tsp. Half-and-half. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 - 25 min. To make removal easier, loosen edges with a knife.

1 C milk1C whipping cream1/2 C sugar1/2 t. vanillaYou will also need 1 large (3lb.) and 1 small (1lb.) coffee can (both empty) with plastic lids. Put the ingredients in the small can and mix; put on lid, making sure it is sealed securely. Put the small can inside the large can. Fill the empty space at the sides of the large can with ice cubes-crush if need be. Pour some table salt over the ice. (Add more ice and salt as needed.) Put lid on large can. Now the fun part, roll the can back and forth between two people. Remove the lids every so often. Scrape the frozen ice cream off the sides of the little can and add more ice and/or salt to the larger can. It generally takes about 15 or 20 minutes to freeze-sometimes longer.

1 1/2-cup warm water1 1/8-tsp. active yeast (1 1/2 pkg.)2 Tbs. brown sugar1 1/8 tsp. Salt1 cup bread flour3 cups regular flour2 cups warm water2 Tbs. baking sodaTo taste coarse salt2-4 Tbs. butter (melted)Sprinkle yeast on lukewarm water in mixing bowl; stir to dissolve. Add sugar, salt, and stir to dissolve; add flour and knead dough until smooth and elastic. Let rise at least 1/2 hour. While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath with 2 cups warm water and 2 Tbs. baking soda. Be certain to stir often.After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into a long rope (about 1/2 inch or less thick) and shape. Dip pretzel into soda solution and place on greased baking sheet. Allow pretzel to rise again. Bake in a 450 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter and enjoy!Toppings:After you brush with butter try sprinkling with coarse salt.Or for Auntie Anne's famous cinnamon sugar, try melting a stick of butter in a shallow bowl( big enough to fit the entire pretzel) and in another bowl, make a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. dip the pretzel into the butter, coating both sides generously. Then dip again into the cinnamon mixture.

Peel and slice a banana. Join the slices together by "gluing" them with peanut butter. Carefully poke two chow mein noodles (or break a pretzel stick in half to make two pieces) through the top of the grape. Use more peanut butter to attach the head (grape) to the front of the body, with antennae (chow mein noodles) pointing up.

1 package of Kool-Aid or other powdered drink mix, any flavor1 can unsweetened condensed milk1 8-ounce container of non-dairy whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)1 prepared graham cracker crustDirections This recipe is best made 12 or more hours before serving. In a large bowl, mix powdered drink mix and unsweetened condensed milk until thoroughly blended. Mix in the whipped topping. Pour into graham cracker crust. Chill until set.

1 (10 ounce) package peanut butter chips1 tablespoon oilCombine in microwave safe bowl and heat for 60 seconds. Stir. If not completely melted, heat for a few more seconds until melted.Stir.ADD:1 can sweetened condensed milk (Eagle Brand or Store Brand)1/2 teaspoon vanillaMix well and pour into a greased 8 x 8 inch pan. Chill.NOTE: Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge by using 1 large package milk chocolate chips and a package of peanut butter chips along with 2 tablespoons of oil. Follow above directions. Add 2 cans of sweetened condensed milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Use a 10 x 10.inch pan. DELICIOUS!NOTE: This type fudge is not only quick & easy it is never grainy.

Help your child roll out refrigerator biscuits into 3-inch circles. Spread each one with margarine and strawberry jam. Help your child fold each biscuit over to make a tart. Use a fork to seal the edges together. Bake according to package directions and serve warm with a glass of milk.

Hard cooked eggs, mayonnaise, mustardRemove the shell from hard-cooked eggs and cut the eggs in half lengthwise. Mix the egg yolk with mayonnaise and mustard to taste. Fill each egg white with the yoke mixture. Add two raisins and a small piece of carrot to each yolk mixture to make eyes and a beak.

These individual pumpkin pies are easy, tasty and the kids can make them. The ingredients listed are for a single serving. Multiply by the number of guests and add a few for later!

Small Pie Crust (Custard size)2 Tbsp. Canned Pumpkin 1 tbsp. Marshmallow creme 1 Tbsp. Cool Whip Sprinkle Cinnamon Mix all ingredients together and pour into the crust. The recipe is then ready to eat; if you wish, it may be refrigerated or frozen.

½ stick of margarine 1 cup of Sugar 1/3 cup of milk 2 Tablespoons Cocoa ¼ cup Peanut Butter ½ teaspoon of Vanilla 1-1/2 cups of quick oats In a large microwave-safe bowl melt Margarine. Stir in cocoa, sugar, and milk until blended well, Microwave on High for 2 minutes, mixture should boil.Remove from Microwave and stir in vanilla and peanut butter until blended. Stir in Oats. Since microwave ovens vary, you may need to stir in an extra handful of oats, if mixture isn't thick enough.Place by rounded tablespoons on waxed paper. Chill until set. Makes about 16 cookies.

1/2 cup Pop Corn, (un-popped kernels)3 tbsp. Oil for popping3 Tbsp. granulated sugara dash of saltHere's how:Heat oil in heavy medium pan until hot. Add pop corn and sprinkle all of the sugar over it and add a small dash of salt. Cover and shake quickly and CONTINUOUSLY until popped. Remove from heat immediately.

In a clean 13-ounce coffee can mix together 1 cup milk, 1 cup whipping cream, ½ cup unsweetened frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed, and ¾ teaspoon vanilla. Put on the lid and place the can inside a clean 34-ounce coffee can.Fill the remaining space in the large can with ice and cover the ice with rock salt. Put on the lid and place the can on the floor. Roll the can back and forth for 10 minutes. Open up both cans. Scrape down the insides of the smaller can and stir in 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, (mashed).Replace the small lid. Pour the excess water out of the large can and add more ice and rock salt. Put the large lid back on and roll the cans for 5-7 minutes until the ice cream hardens. Serve immediately or freeze until later.Makes8 small servings.

Mix apples and sugar, and set aside. Grease and flour a 13x9-inch pan. Beat eggs with oil and vanilla. Sift together dry ingredients and add to the oil and egg, alternating with the apple mixture. Stir in the walnuts. Spread in the pan and bake at 350 degrees F for about an hour, or until it tests done. Makes about 15 squares.

Mash the berries in the bowl with the potato masher thoroughly.Spread the berries on the cookie sheet and lay them out to dry. (This takes several days)When the fruit pulp is dry, dust with sugar.Roll up like a jellyroll and cut into pieces.Store in an airtight container.

Apples Peanut Butter Miniature Marshmallows Cut apples into wedges. Smear peanut butter on one side of 2 wedges. Stick a few marshmallows on the peanut butter on one of the apple wedges and top with the other apple wedge - peanut butter side down. When you look at this it looks like a smile (the red part of the apple are the lips and the marshmallows are the teeth!)

Makes about 6 dozen cookies.Although this is a recipe for a gift mix, I make it for home so the kids and I can enjoy impromptu baking days.Gift Mix:2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour1 Tbsp. ground ginger2 tsp. ground cinnamon1 tsp. baking soda1/2 tsp. salt1/4 tsp. ground cloves1/4 tsp. nutmeg1-1/2 cups Quaker oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked).To make mix:

Slice and peel the apples. Have the child spread the butter on the bread. Have them place the apple slices on the bread. Then have them sprinkle the sugar mixture on the apples. Place in the toaster oven, and toast till slightly brown. Enjoy!

In a bowl, toss vegetables with oil, spread on lightly greased baking sheet. Roast in 450F (230C) degree oven for 25 min.Whisk 1/4 cup of the milk with flour. In saucepan, heat remaining milk over medium heat until bubbles appear around edge; whisk in flour mixture and bring to boil while whisking. Reduce heat to cook medium-low; cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Whisk in cheddar and cream cheeses, salt and pepper until smooth. Meanwhile in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta for 8 minutes or until just tender. Drain and return to pot; stir in sauce and vegetables. Spoon into greased 8 cup (2L) casserole.Combine crumbs, butter and Parmesan; sprinkle over pasta.

Bake in 450 degree oven for 10 minutes or until bubbling and golden on top. Makes 6 servings.

Slice away top third of cuke, the long way to look like an airplane fuselage. Scoop out the larger section of the cuke and stuff with chopped veggies mixed with veggie dip. Make wings from sliced (the long way) carrot. Decorate with other food items as desired.

Large and small marshmallows, get creative and make a rainbow and clouds out of diffenent colors of licorice strands. You can also use gummy worms for the rainbows. Get 3 flavors of jello (or more if you have the time) prepare as directed on package, but just as jello is soft set, pour another color on top to creat a striped, rainbow affect.

Heat oven to 450š. Separate biscuits and divide into halves. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Dip each piece into melted butter and then roll in the sugar mixture. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown.

These cookies are almost as fun to make, as they are to give. The chocolate does dry fast, so make sure to place the licorice pieces on right after dipping. If the melted chocolate starts to harden, simply reheat for a few seconds and continue dipping.Ingredients 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk1 12-ounce box wafer cookies, crushed1/2 cup chopped walnuts2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted6 pieces red string licorice16 ounces white chocolateDirections Line a work surface with waxed paper. In a large bowl mix together the condensed milk, crushed cookies, walnuts, and melted chocolate. Take a tablespoonful of the mixture and roll into a ball. Place on the waxed paper and flatten gently. Repeat with the remaining dough, placing the cookies one inch apart. Cut the licorice into 1 1/2-inch pieces and set aside. Melt the white chocolate until smooth over a double boiler or in a microwave, stirring frequently. Using a fork, dip the cookies into the chocolate. Quickly, before the chocolate dries, place two licorice pieces on the cookies to form the baseball threads. Let dry thoroughly before packaging or giving.Makes 5 dozen cookies.Preparation Time: 40 minutesTotal Time: 40 minutes

To your small sandwich bag, add the cream, sweetener, and vanilla. Close it up and give it a small shake.To the gallon bag, add the ice and the salt. Then add the small sandwich bag. Close the large bag, and shake the heck out of it for 4 minutes. (I think we decided elsewhere that this can count as your exercise.) Remove the small bag from the large one. RINSE IT OFF! (You don't want salty ice cream!) You can eat your ice cream right out of the bag! Easy cleanup. Enjoy.If you want a "harder" ice cream, you can shake it longer. I found though that 4 minutes was perfect. It really did turn out like soft- serve. And you can even put the big gallon baggy back in the freezer so you can use it again for more ice cream.Calories: 223 Fat : 22

Using liquid food coloring, a clean paint brush and white bread you can make beautiful toast! First dilute liquid food coloring (about 50%) and let your kids "paint" a picture or design on a slice of white bread, being careful not to get the bread too soggy. Go ahead and toast the bread in your toaster as usual. The colors turn out bright and the kids really enjoy eating their masterpieces! Great idea for holidays or toasted sandwiches!

Cut apple slices in circles. Spread the apple pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet. Let the children sprinkle cinnamon on them. Cover them with foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for about ten to twenty minutes, depending on the thickness of the apple slices.

Cool and serve.

Hint:help the children use a small amount of cinnamon so thir apples will taste best. Too much cinnamon makes the apples taste "hot". Consider using a cinnamon spice jar that has some of the sprinkle holes covered with tape.

Have a juice taste test, using old favorites (like apple or grape) and some new ones (like cranberry or grapefruit). Then have your child experiment by mixing different combinations, until they discover their perfect punch combination. Write the recipe on a recipe card with the child's name on it and make a special batch for their birthday.

Plop small mounds of potatoes on a greased cookie sheet, making a well in each mound. Crack an egg into each well and bake for about 15 minutes at 375, until the egg is cooked through. This is great for breakfast or lunch!

Sprinkle dry yeast into water. Let stand for a few minutes, then stir until dissolved. Scald milk and cool to lukewarm. Add milk and 2 cups of the flour to yeast. Beat thoroughly. Stand in warm place for about 1 hour, or until mixture is light and bubbly. Beat in remaining ingredients except confectioners' sugar and lemon juice and remaining flour; if necessary, add a little more flour to make a medium-stiff dough. Stand in a warm place and let rise until doubled in bulk. Punch down and turn out on lightly floured board. Knead for about 5 minutes. Shape dough into 2-1/2 " round buns. Place buns on greased cookie sheet, about 1 inch apart. Allow to rise again in warm place until doubled in bulk. Bake in preheated 400F oven for 10 minutes. Lower heat to 350F and bake for 15 minutes longer. Cool buns. Slice into 3/4 inch slices. Return to 300F oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until the slices are lightly browned on both sides. Makes about 2 dozen.

Plain white or butter cream frosting can be made fancy simply by sprinkling a small amount of flavored powered drink mix into it. The frosting will then be colorful and have a zesty taste. My kid's favorites are grape and cherry!

This doesn't sound like a snack you would want to give your kids but they are pretty popular around my house. My grandsons just love them. Take an apple and cut it into sections. Remove any core and spread with peanut butter on the white sides. Wrap gummy worms around the apple sections and serve on a paper plate with plenty of napkins.

Jotting of a quick note to your child to leave in their lunchbox is a great idea. Your child will know how important they are, and it will make them feel special. One quick way to do this is to use a permanent marker and write right on the sandwich bag. They are sure to find it there! While you're at it toss in a couple of Hershey Hugs and Kisses for a treat.

Most popsicles you buy are nothing more than frozen sugar water. Make these delicious fruit juice frozen pops.

Pour unsweetened fruit juice into small paper dixie cups or ice cube trays and place in th freezer. Let the juice become thick and slushy. Place a popsicle stick or plastic spoon into the center of each cube or cup. Contiinue to freeze until hard. (about 3 to 4 hours)

Fun Variations:

Add pureed fruit (1 part fruit to 2 parts juice)

If you do not have any popsicle sticks or plastic spoons, give the child the paper cup and teach her how to peel the cup away a little at a time.

Use the ice cube popsicles in the child's favorite juice to make a colorful punch (put cranberry ice cubes in apple juice)

You will need to have on hand a few fresh fruits, ½ cup plain Yogurt, Toothpicks and 2 tbsp. Unsweetened orange or apple juice concentrate

Help your kids cut cubes of fruit. Apples, pineapples, bananas or berries work well. Mix the yogurt and juice concentrate to make a dip. Then let them use the toothpicks to spear and dip the fruit cubes.

Mix together water, yeast and sugar. Set aside for five minutes. Put salt and flour in a bowl. Combine yeast mixture and flour mixture. Make a stiff dough. Shape letters from dough right on greased baking sheets. Brush with beaten egg over letters and sprinkle with coarse salt.

Using a spoon, drop dots of batter in a hot skillet forming eyes and a strip of batter for a smile. Give them just a few seconds to brown a little then pour on batter for pancake. When removed from skillet pancake will have a smiley face on it.

Hard-boil some eggs. Peel. Cut in half. Stick a toothpick with a little flag into each half of the sliced open egg. (The yolk can be mixed with a little mustard and mayonnaise first to make deviled sailboat eggs.)

Although it's been proven that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, often convincing a child of this is an entirely different matter. Here are a few ideas of foods that appeal to kids and help you to get out the door on time. Most of these are of the "take with you" variety, and just a couple will do the job on a very hectic morning.1. A piece of fruit2. Muffin3. Toast4. Bagel5. Peanut butter and raisin sandwich6. Yogurt7. Baggie with dried cereal8. Slice of cold pizza9. Breakfast bar10. Cheese strings11. Milkshake drink

Warm some chili, microwave or oven. Stuff warm chili into a Crusty roll that has been scooped out, with a hole in the top of it. Top with cheese triangles. Warm all again. Serve with carrot stick "oars".

A. Small amounts of a variety of items always worked for my kids. When you child opens her lunch she finds a number of little packages to enjoy and not a large anything to get through. Try making the everyday sandwich more appealing by cutting the crusts off with a variety of large cookie cutters, she will like the shapes. Don't bother sending something she doesn't readily eat at home, she won't eat it at school either.

In a bowl, toss vegetables with oil, spread on lightly greased baking sheet. Roast in 450F (230C) degree oven for 25 min.Whisk 1/4 cup of the milk with flour. In saucepan, heat remaining milk over medium heat until bubbles appear around edge; whisk in flour mixture and bring

to boil while whisking. Reduce heat to cook medium-low; cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Whisk in cheddar and cream cheeses, salt and pepper until smooth. Meanwhile in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta for 8 minutes or until just tender. Drain and return to pot; stir in sauce and vegetables. Spoon into greased 8 cup (2L)casserole.Combine crumbs, butter and Parmesan; sprinkle over pasta.

Bake in 450 degree oven for 10 minutes or until bubbling and golden on top. Makes 6 servings.

Allow the children to measure, peel, stir, or combine toppings (depending upon age and ability) under your watchfull eye. A Fork or teaspoon is easier for a small child to use than a whisk. There are math lessons (measuring), science lessons (melting) and shareing lessons (taking turns) to be had here and the kids don't even know! They just remember how much fun they had making supper with you.

Don't underestimate how good a meal tasts to a child that has contributed to it's creation. Be sure to listen. I am constantly amazed at what you can learn from a child when they "chat" with you. Without the pressure of coming up with a precice answer to "What did you do in school today?" most children are happy to express more than just what they "did". They may tell you how they felt!

1/2 cup Butter, room temperature 1/4 cup Granulated sugar1/3 cup Brown sugar1 Large egg1/2 teas Vanilla extract1 cup (+ 2 teas) All Purpose Flour1/2 teas Salt1/2 teas Baking Soda1 cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips1/2 cup Coarsely Chopped Walnuts1. Preheat the oven to 350F.2. Beat the butter and both sugars in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix well.3. Mix the flour, salt, and baking soda in another bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until well blended. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts.4. Drop the dough by small scoops 2 to 3 inches apart on an un-greased cookie sheet. Flatten each scoop with the back of a spoon to about 3 inches in diameter.5. Bake until the centers are still slightly soft to the touch, 11 to 14 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.Makes 12 to 15 cookies.

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